riding into the wild - a love fueled adventure

chapter 4- the haunted cabin

After their break, the group mounted their bikes once again, setting off toward the rumored haunted cabin. The trail narrowed as they wound deeper into the forest, the trees growing thicker and the light dimming as they went. The air grew cooler, and an eerie silence settled over the group, broken only by the hum of the bikes.

"You really think it's haunted?" Evelyn asked Colby as they rode side by side, her voice slightly nervous but curious.

Colby shrugged, a mischievous grin on his face. "Who knows? Sam likes to exaggerate, but it's a cool story. Supposedly, some guy lived there in the 1800s and just disappeared one day. People say they still hear weird noises around here at night."

"Sounds like fun," she said with a small laugh, though her heart thudded a little faster at the thought.

When they reached the cabin, it was exactly as Sam had described—old, weathered, and partially hidden by the overgrowth. The wooden structure looked like it had been abandoned for decades, its roof sagging and windows broken. The air around it felt heavy, and despite the bright daylight, there was something unsettling about the place.

Cleo was the first to hop off her bike, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Let's check it out."

Evelyn hesitated, but Colby gave her a reassuring nod. "Don't worry. If there are ghosts, I'll protect you."

She rolled her eyes but smiled. "I'll hold you to that."

They ventured inside, the wooden floor creaking under their boots as they explored the dusty rooms. The cabin was small, with just a few rooms and a lot of old, broken furniture scattered about. The air smelled of mold and wood rot, but there was something oddly fascinating about the place.

Sam found an old bookcase tipped over in one corner, and Cleo discovered what looked like an old rifle mounted on the wall. "This place is a time capsule," she said, brushing away cobwebs from an old lantern on the table.

As they explored, Evelyn found herself standing next to Colby again, their shoulders brushing as they examined what looked like an old diary left behind by whoever had lived there. She could feel the warmth of his presence, a comfort that steadied her nerves.

"Creepy, huh?" Colby said softly.

"Yeah, but kind of cool too," Evelyn replied. "It's like stepping into another time."

For a moment, they stood there in the dim light, the air thick with dust and the scent of old wood. And then, without warning, Colby reached down and took her hand, his fingers lacing through hers. Evelyn's heart skipped a beat, and she glanced up at him, surprised but not pulling away.

"I've been wanting to do that for a while," Colby admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Evelyn smiled, her nerves melting away as she squeezed his hand. "I'm glad you did."

From across the room, Cleo caught Sam's eye, raising her eyebrows and grinning when she saw Colby and Evelyn holding hands. Sam smirked back, then motioned for her to follow him into the next room.

"I think those two need a minute," he whispered, nudging her with his elbow.

Cleo chuckled. "Looks like it."

They left Evelyn and Colby alone in the quiet room, giving them a chance to savor the moment. Outside, the forest stood still, the cabin creaking gently in the wind, as if holding its breath, waiting for whatever came next.

And for Evelyn and Colby, this was only the beginning of a new adventure—one filled with more than just dirt bike rides and haunted cabins, but with the kind of connection that could turn into something far deeper.